Since the 1980’s, relevancy for art museums has been a struggle. As some close and most others continue to fight for funding, it is not uncommon to find an overly internalized mindset and an internally divided staff. Unfortunately, many museums also do not consider the visitor as a deep source of value. As changes in philanthropic patterns are intensifying with the rising millennial generation, traditional management is perpetuating static innovation. It is this mindset that downplays creative thinking, flattens workplace culture, and hinders collaboration.

A change is needed and the answer lies in becoming designful. When an organization is designful it gives way to an innovative spirit that involves sustaining agility, prioritizing user-centeredness, imaginative thinking, sharing ideas, establishing quality relationships, and taking risks. These qualities are invaluable to generating interest, creating newness, and maintaing a bond with an audience. By integrating design as a process and a mindset, museums can finally leverage themselves as leaders of change, instead of mere reactors to crisis.

Inverting Perspectives delves deep into what this change looks like. Substantial secondary research is presented, along with several revealing personal interviews. Written originally for the fulfillment of an MFA Degree from Kent State University’s Visual Communication Design graduate program, this book is a visual exploration into integrating opposing mindsets.